Enhancing Operational Readiness Through Temporomandibular Disorders Education in the Military Health System.

INTRODUCTION

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that significantly affects the health and operational readiness of military service members. Despite its widespread impact, available evidence supports that education on TMD screening, diagnosis, and management is insufficient across medical, dental, and allied health professions. Most health care providers receive little to no formal training in TMD, and existing continuing professional development programs often promote nonevidence-based approaches. This gap in education can contribute to frustration among clinicians and patients, leading to undertreatment, overtreatment, and/or iatrogenic harm.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

To address this educational deficit, we developed an online, interactive curriculum designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of initial care clinicians in managing TMD. This curriculum is based on Mayer's Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning and incorporates principles from the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The course includes four topical modules covering TMD pathophysiology, screening and assessment, diagnosis, and management. Each module features brief, engaging Technology, Entertainment, Design-style videos and interactive case-based scenarios with built-in feedback to reinforce learning. The curriculum also provides ready-to-use clinical assessment tools and patient education resources to facilitate immediate application in clinical settings.

RESULTS

A pilot study was conducted with 30 initial care clinicians from various health care disciplines to assess the course's impact. Results showed significant increases in knowledge and perceived competence across all four modules (P < .01), with large effect sizes (Cohen's d > 0.8). The curriculum is scalable, asynchronous, and adaptable for various learner groups, from health care students to practicing clinicians seeking continuing professional development. Additionally, the course has been made accessible to military clinicians through Joint Knowledge Online and is available as open-access content on MedEdPORTAL for broader use in health professions education.

CONCLUSIONS

By improving TMD education, this curriculum aims to equip health care providers with the skills needed to deliver effective, evidence-based care, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and operational readiness in military settings.